Note, however, that we at Klipnik focus on more practical and affordable cars, and so we won’t delve too deeply into the M3 as its purchase price, potential problem areas and associated maintenance costs push that model a little outside our comfort zone. There are also plenty of variants available, from a base 323i to the rip-roaring M3, and with body styles encompassing a coupe, convertible, sedan and wagon. To our eyes, the cleanly chiseled E46 is the best looking 3 Series of them all, more visually interesting than the boxy E30, a bit more mature than the E36 and thankfully lacking the odd styling details of the E9x generation that followed it. Striking an amenable balance, the E46 offered higher performance and a bit more room for passengers while still retaining a compact, lithe feel on the road.īeing handsome doesn’t hurt either.
Replacing the outgoing E36 generation, the E46 offered more power under the hood and more available luxury features inside the cabin. Indeed, many enthusiasts feel that the E46 generation marks the last time the 3 Series was truly engaging and true to its roots - a spry athlete of a car that offered not only quick reflexes but communication through the steering wheel and seat of one’s pants that let you know in no uncertain terms what the tires were doing.Īnd with cars from this generation now at least ten years old, depreciation has already taken its toll, making good examples as cheap to acquire as they’re ever going to be. Make no mistake, the 3er’s performance is still impressive, but for many who relish time behind the wheel, the less quantifiable “fun to drive” factor has dropped off. Nowadays, even a car buff could easily mistake a newer 3 Series sedan for a 5 Series. Long a favorite of driving enthusiasts, BMW’s 3 Series has nonetheless gotten bigger, heavier and less engaging with each successive generation.
ApBy John DiPietro BMW 3 Series E46 Generation (1999-2006) Buyer’s Guide
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